When Irish Eyes are Smiling!
Posted by Mike Bullington - Photos: John Swentowsky on Mar 17, 2017
President Dan’s Irish eyes were smiling, as he reminded us of his humble but proud beginnings as the son of immigrants from the Isle of Eyre, recounting emerald embroidered memories of his Dad’s bar – the finest in North San Francisco, I tell ya – and his own stairway through a different kind of bar and onto legal stardom.
PP Hal Bartholomew (Bartholomew & Wasznicky LLP) provided a different kind of spirit, as our erstwhile vintner and sommelier. Kevin Williams (KVIE) adroitly spun the vinyl, doing his part to evoke a melancholy Irish mood. Greeting the Rotarians as they came in were Randy Friedman of the United States Navy, Cheryl Marcell of the CA State Railroad Museum Foundation.
Bob Miller of First US Community Credit Union touted the power of laughter as the best medicine for what ails ya, but even more, the best remedy for our soul. And if there were still a dry eye in the house, not to mention a dry glass, Dick Osen left nary a dry one with his soulful rendition of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.”
Celine Spencer, Mark Quartarolo and Matthew Voreyer visited us from the Sacramento Convention Center. Jeremy Kroptin came at the invitation of John Wood (McGee & Thielen Insurance Broker). Bruce Meissner came as a guest of Eric Solis (Solis Financial Strategies Group of Wells Fargo Advisors). Brian Beauchamp was invited by Jim Craig. Mike Pease joined us at the behest of Forest Junod. Mary Euretig was Dave McKie’s guest.
Prospective members included Steve Cammack, Carol Christie, David Brandenburger, Will McMullen, Ted Grebitus and Sylvia Ambrogio. Our visiting Rotarian came all the way from LaCrosse Wisconsin, Mr. Ben Wedro.
Jeanne Reaves, our meeting sponsor, donated her time to the Salvation Army. Ivan Wild talked at length about the organizations history, dating back to the founding in 1865 in England to its present-day mission of “Serving suffering humanity without discrimination.” He cited a number of unique accomplishments, highlighted by the E Claire Transitional Living Family project in Sacramento.
Susan Sheridan gradually introduced our newest Rotary Fellow by telling us about his upbringing in the French speaking Belgian Congo, where he became trilingual. She talked about his musical talent and ambition to be a cowboy, then his less glamorous work as a “construction” guy, formerly working for Continental Heller. She finally gave him away when talking about his love for cycling. At that point, there was little doubt that it was the indubitable, intrepid and irrepressible Todd Andrews (Andrews Construction, Inc.)
Jim Leet (Boutin Jones Inc.) recognized contributions to the Club from Judy Kjelstrom (UC Davis) for her second EM, Paul Stone for his first and second EM, Millie Stone for her 5th EM in one year, and Lee Castonguay for his 5th EM.
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Elfrena Foord (Foord, Van Bruggen, & Pajak) reminded us about the upcoming Spring Fling on Friday, March 24, at 6 PM at the Elks Building downtown. She also brought to light the response by several wives of Rotarians that their husbands had not shared the announcement with them. How sad! John Swentowsky (Swentowsky Photography) announced that Thursday March 30th would be the next opportunity to serve at Loaves and Fishes. Future President Diane Woodruff announced the Fireside at her place on Thursday, the 16th, throwing out a challenge to all comers that she was ready for them with paddle in hand – especially for one ill-behaved Wes Yee. One would speculate that she was ready to apply the board of discipline to the seat of knowledge, until she let know that the issue was about ping-pong, not correcting a wrong. Our beloved Jim Phillips reminded us that the snow trip had been canceled due to impassable road conditions. However, he revived our spirits with a promise of a summer excursion to Tuolumne Meadows. Roy Alexander (Sacramento Children's Home) announced Theater night on April 21, and then watch the Bodyguard. Steven Walker (Fast Break Tech, Inc.) said that he would be available to train on how to use the ClubRunner app on our phones and tablets. We need to bring our device and Apple password. Susan Sheridan acknowledged the Sacramento Convention Center, from whom we had three guests, for their support of the Pony Express. Past President Dave Cohen toast to guest Bruce Meissner, who is looking for work and would like to rejoin. He committed $50 each to Paul and Eddie.
“Passion’s Day” is just around the corner. On Tuesday, March 28th, Rotarians will be sharing things they have a “passion” for other than Rotary. To add a little fun to the event if you have a beloved vehicle you would like to show, please bring your car to be on display in the back of the parking lot at the Dante Club.
Kevin Williams of KVIE, our chair of the day, introduced Jack Gallagher as our speaker. Jack first encouraged us to get out to see his current play at the B Street Theater, “Concussed,” which recounts his recovery from a severe concussion suffered in a collision with a car windshield on September 1, 2014. It recounts the four days he spent in a room with no light or external stimuli, at the advice of his physicians. Jack’s big takeaway was the need to slow down, to be able to enjoy his family and pursue his writing. As a result, he and his wife, who are native to Boston, realized a longtime dream to buy a house in Cape Cod. Jack also ruminated on his newfound cognizance of his own mortality.
Jack and his wife are from Boston and they have three kids, the youngest of which, Liam, has autism. Liam is 21, and Jack describes him as having a “different kind of cool.” It is evident that Jack loves him very much and spends a great deal of time with him. He likes to educate people, as he did with us, about the nature of autism and the upside of kids that are autistic (he cautions against every describing them as “having” autism). He praised their hard-working nature and their ability to master details.
Jack memorialized his Dad, who recorded 9 hours of life experiences shortly before his death. He followed his wife by only 19 days. He answered a boatload of questions from our Rotary audience, which were too many to recount. It hardly needs elaboration, that he was a thought provoking speaker.
President Dan stole Sergeant Tom’s thunder by reminding us that we are DARK next week, in order to accommodate attendance at the Spring Fling.